This year’s recipient possesses an infectious kindheartedness, inspiring those around her to treat everyone with compassion. Her genuine interest in the welfare of others reveals the altruistic and generous nature of her heart.
Her commitment to serving her community is evident through her contributions to the many organizations with which she is involved. She has served on countless committees within our St. Monica community, including the St. Monica Mother’s Ministry’s Vacation Bible School. She fostered community involvement as a New Family Ambassador, welcoming and mentoring new families to the school and community. She helped shape the Parent Teacher Organization, serving in multiple roles such as Homeroom Parent, spearheading class projects, school dances, class parties, field day, class gifts, and chaperoning at The Pines Catholic Camp. And for years, she has played an instrumental role in Teacher Appreciation, Faculty Birthday Lunches, Autumnfest, and Christmas Market.
She has supported our Dads’ Club by assisting with the Auction Gala, in addition to hosting numerous Night Out With Friends parties, encouraging strong relationships within our community. She supported our school’s overall operations and tuition assistance by serving on the Tuition GAP Campaign Committee and chairing the campaign as the GAP Family in 2014.
Her dependency on God and her Catholic faith is evident in her commitment as a Leader of the Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas, where she instilled and developed the Catholic faith of so many young girls. Her dedication to nurturing faithfulness in our youth continues to transpire, as she has helped prepare multiple candidates to receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The St. Monica community is not the only recipient of her extraordinary service. She has shown her love for others and those less fortunate by her dedicated and frequent service to organizations in the greater Dallas community and beyond. She has supported local charities, such as the Salesman Club, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization, and the National Charity League. She embarked on a mission trip to Guatemala in support of Women for Orphans Worldwide and Orphans Outreach and served on the Heart of WOW committee. She has participated in countless 5K races for notable causes like The Ireland Fund and Special Olympics. She has helped those in need at Vogel Alcove, providing childcare to working single mothers, and has supported Kate’s Books, participating in an effort to provide over 2000 books to schools impacted by the 2019 Dallas tornado. She does all of these activities with an infectious smile and a positive attitude.
She demonstrates her faith as she carries out the mission of the Catholic Church, helping others and seeking the good in every person and situation in her daily life. She has the humility of a servant’s heart, respects and affirms others, and lives faithfully. She continues to give unselfishly and in the words of her peers, “She is a true hero.”
Congratulations to the EIGHTH recipient of The Michelle A. Mendez Lifetime Service Award, for her 14 Years of Service: